The Rangers talk about getting back to what they are, but the essential issue is that nobody knows what that means this time around.

Everyone knew they would be different. Everyone understood they’d be more top heavy and more dependent on talent in the aftermath of the trade in which Rick Nash came to New York and a handful of character assets departed either in that deal or via free agency.

In large measure, the Rangers were remade for Nash.

But now Nash is gone for an indefinite period of time, and the team is sinking without him, having a scored a total of three goals — one by a forward, Ryan Callahan on the power play — in going 0-2-1 in No. 61’s absence.

Nash’s injury is surely just a part of the game — and certainly as administered by the NHL Department of Player Safety — but the hole it has created is more significant than the holes created by the off-season departures of Brandon Prust, Brandon Dubinsky, Ruslan Fedotenko, Artem Anisimov and John Mitchell.

Because those guys were on last year’s team ... that didn’t win. And it is past time to stow last year into history.